Key Dates
Friday 13 December, 2024
All medical updates to be sent to the Medical Office.
Monday 6 January, 2025
All passports to be handed in to our Cashier in the Accounts Office
Wednesday 8 January, 2025
Meet at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 at 6am
Flight EK392 to Ho Chi Minh City, 09:40 - 19:35
Sunday 12 January, 2025
Domestic flight with Vietnam Airlines
Flight VN1386 from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, 16:20 - 17.20
Thursday 16 January, 2025
Domestic flight with Vietnam Airlines
Flight VN1383 from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, 12:50 - 14:05
Flight VN1345 from Cam Ranh (Nha Trang) to Ho Chi Minh City, 1410-1525
Friday 17 January, 2025
Flight EK393 from Ho Chi Minh City, 23:55 - 04:25 (+1)
Saturday 18 January, 2025
Parents to collect students from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3
Flight EK393 from Ho Chi Minh City, 23:55 - 04:25 (+1).
Key Information
VISA Requirements
If you require a visa for entry to Vietnam, Mrs Hughes will have been in touch. Please check the details are correct on the Vietnam visa once returned and advise ASAP if there are any discrepancies.
Vietnam Visa Link
Please ensure all passports must have 6 months expiry remaining after the date of the return flight and that UAE visas are up to date for return entry to the UAE.
Medical
Students, as a group, should carry a small first aid kit to be self sufficient with minor medical issues for the Gold International Award expedition. Recommended items include: antibacterial wipes, antihistamines and antihistamine gel for allergies, anti-inflammatory gel, e g Voltarin, decongestant for colds and flu, DEET-based insect repellent, first-aid items such as plasters (band aids) of assorted sizes, blister plasters, bandages, gauze, safety pins, oral-rehydration solution for diarrhoea, paracetamol and/or Brufen for pain, and throat lozenges.
Pack any medication in its original packaging in a plastic bag Staff are first aid trained and will carry first aid supplies for the whole group Please see your own doctor for specific travel medical advise
Money and Valuables
Students are expected to carry and be responsible for their own pocket money 100-150 USD is a maximum recommendation (in small denominations) for students to buy snacks and small souvenirs.
Valuables are taken at the students’ own risk. JESS cannot be held responsible for any lost or stolen items It is not advisable to bring or wear expensive jewellery on the trip Students who wear glasses or contact lenses are advised to take an extra pair in case of loss or damage
Contacts and Communication
In an emergency, contact can be made with Mr Ian Lazenbury His number will be shared prior to departure. All parents will be able to keep up with the trip on social media. Details to follow.
Vietnam information
China
Laos
Cambodia
Gulf of Tonkin
South China Sea
Vietnam information
Language
Vietnamese but also English and French
Capital City
Hanoi
Time Difference
GMT +7. Vietnam is 3 Hours ahead of Dubai
Currency
Dong but will accept USD
Population
101,222,946 (Worldometer, 2024)
Number of motorbikes
70 million and counting
Weather
Vietnam’s weather is dictated by two monsoons In the South, November to February is dry and cooler than the rest of the year Temperatures are around 18-22 degrees Celsius by day (9 degrees by night)
Humidity can reach 70% In Da Lat, temperatures will be slightly cooler and humidity levels will drop
Trip information
Vietnamese Culture
The Vietnamese people are very receptive to foreigners and will welcome you warmly There is little evidence of animosity, however a healthy curiosity does exist and you may find yourself frequently engaged in conversation unexpectedly or at the center of attention.
What to Expect
Expect a new travel experience. Expect to see a picture perfect landscape of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Expect bustling cities and busy streets of bicycles and motorcycles, which are a challenge to cross Expect to be popular with the locals, to be stopped in the street for an unexpected conversation Expect comfortable hotel properties throughout your trip and quaint home stays in the provinces Expect the occasional mishap - a delayed flight or a short power outage. Expect stunning mountain passes and endless photo opportunities. Expect to find unexpected bargains! Expect to be very busy and very tired at times. Expect your guide/tour leader to take care of that for you. Expect to sample a new and unique cuisine or a pizza every now and then Expect the noise, expect the heat Expect to learn about daily rituals and traditions performed for hundreds of years, to hear legends, to smell exotic spices in a local market. Expect to marvel at ancient towers that remain standing after 500 years, through wars and countless monsoon storms. Expect welcoming smiles. Expect things to be different from what they are at home - after all, isn’t that why you came in the first place?
Electricity and Mobiles
Vietnam uses 220v, 50 cycle electricity Outlets in Vietnam generally accept 3 types of plug: Flat blade plug, two round pins, two parallel flat pins with ground pin Please note that if you have adaptors, please bring one along as the hotels will not have adapters to loan
It is recommended that students have a phone charging bank. Sim cards will be available to purchase on day 2 but please note, students will not be able to use their mobiles or access a mobile network for the majority of the trip
Motor Vehicles
All motor vehicles used by SEE Travel for overland road journeys are modern, air-conditioned and are licensed to carry foreign visitors and fully insured.
Trip information
Water
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam and bottled water will be readily available. Students will be provided with water at check points and at camp during the Gold International Award expedition.
Students must have their own water bottle to fill up.
Food
Food will be a true highlight of our trip to Vietnam. Rice and noodles form the basis of most dishes, which rely heavily on fish and chicken. Fresh vegetables are in abundant supply (in fact, vegetarians are very well catered for) and are most often served in a light stir-fry or in a broth, with the addition of chilli, lemongrass, coriander or a special fish sauce Exotic fruit is both a common dessert and excellent breakfast accompaniment
All restaurants, eateries and cafes, which your guide recommends or escorts you to will be highly reputable and generally serve delicious food. In these places, fresh salad, raw vegetables and ice are all fine to consume Bottled water is readily available and recommended at all times
Please remember also that mild stomach upsets and diarrhoea are very common ailments when experiencing new cuisine. The food in Vietnam, as in every country, is different; this does not mean it is bad. Often, all that is needed is for your system to have some time to adjust to your new and often healthier diet
Meals
Students will be expected to buy two meals whilst in Vietnam In local restaurants you can eat well for between 2 USD and 5 USD All other meals will be included whilst students are in Vietnam At each restaurant, bottled water will be provided Additional soft drinks are available at ones own expense
SEE Travel is pleased to accommodate those participants with special requirements such as vegetarian or non-pork diets Students should have already completed this information on the Reservation Form Students will be provided with money to purchase food for the expedition All expedition groups will have their own budget and it will be up to them to spend it as they see fit
Accommodation
Ho Chi Minh City
Bong Sen Hotel (Female Students)
117-123 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC
Telephone: +84 28 3829 1516
Da Lat
The Western Hill
135-145 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 2, Da Lat
Telephone: +84 26 3356 5888
Blue Diamond (Male Students)
48-50 Thu Khoa Huan Street, District 1, HCMC
Telephone: +84 28 3823 6167
Nha Trang for Non-Gold Students
Xavia Hotel
9 Hoang Dieu Street, Nguyen, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
Telephone: +84 25 8371 2222
Mekong
Ut Trinh Homestay
Hoa Ninh, Long Ho, Vinh Long
Telephone: +84 703 836 525
Luggage
Luggage
Students should have two pieces of luggage, a main bag that must not exceed 20kg to comply with domestic flight limits, and a backpack that must not exceed 7kg for hand luggage.
Gold Award Requirement (approx. 65 litres)
CAS Requirement
All Students
Kit List
Clothing
Personal Kit
Vietnam is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy clothes so it is easy to buy T-shirts for approximately 3 USD and light cotton trousers for 6 USD en route if necessary
Washing services are available at all hotels during the trip and are relatively cheap (approximately 1.50 USD per item to wash. Please don't rely on this as time can sometimes be limited.
Personalised Itinerary for JESS students
A land of astounding natural beauty and cultural complexities, picturesque coastlines and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both mysterious and compelling. This 11-day trip is specifically designed for energetic and compassionate students a very challenging and activity-rich travel experience.
A key component of the trip is designed specifically for students wishing to undertake the International Award, which will entitle a very challenging hiking & navigation programme through Vietnam's temperature highland forests. As an alternative programme, students can take part in several CAS (Community, Action, Service) activities, including alternative outdoor pursuits, a Vietnamese cooking class as well as a marine research component on the country’s south-central coast
As the trip is designed to be of social-justice nature, a significant component of the itinerary is designed to provide students with an appreciation of development issues following decades of conflict and social neglect. As such, the programme includes a challenging community-service project working alongside a remote village to construct a dwelling to foster comradeship and solidarity
Most importantly, this trip is designed to be highly enjoyable and provide students with a memorable and fulfilling introduction to one of the friendliest countries in Asia.
Day 1
Depart Dubai | Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival in Vietnam this afternoon, we will be greeted by our tour leader at Ho Chi Minh City International Airport. With no time to lose, we will board our bus and travel to our centrally located hotel in the downtown precinct.
En route, our tour leader will discuss our Vietnam programme over the coming week and provide us with a thorough rundown of all the things we need to know when travelling in Vietnam, as well as give us a short history and Vietnamese language lesson.
Ho Chi Minh City is a metropolis on the move – and we’re not just talking about the motorbikes that throng the streets Formerly known as ‘Saigon’, this city is Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane municipal of commerce and culture that has driven the whole country forward with its energy
After checking in, we will enjoy an orientation walking tour of the city before we head off for our first taste of fine Vietnamese fare at a popular local restaurant
For those of us with the energy, there will be further time for some exploration of the precinct in the vicinity of our hotel, escorted by our tour leaders.
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh City | Mekong Delta
This morning, we will depart Ho Chi Minh City and journey to the Mekong Delta. Vietnam’s own ‘rice bowl’ - the Mekong is a dizzying maze of green tributaries that move to the rhythms of the mighty Mekong. It is also home to nearly one-fifth of the country’s population.
On arrival, we will set out to explore this unique corner of Southeast Asia, where many aspects of life have changed little in 200 years. Today we will visit some provincial cottage industries, including a confectionary-making concern, a ceramics factory, as well as a workshop that produces Vietnam's famous condiment – fish sauce. Today we will also have the opportunity to visit a local school to gain insights into the Vietnamese education system Here, we'll participate in a reading initiative aimed at helping young learners enhance their English skills and interact with native speakers
As the weather cools later today, we will enjoy a bike ride to better experience our tropical surroundings, bristling with birdlife, delightful flora and the site of industrious locals wearing their ubiquitous conical hats
School Visit Activity
Visiting a local school as part of an educational travel program is a carefully planned activity that Student Educational Experiences (SEE) initiate after consultation with local teaching staff This activity is always initiated based on a model of mutual learning and designed as an immersion experience.
An understanding of the importance of an integrated approach to community development is useful to frame what students might see, learn or experience during such an activity
Day 3
Mekong Delta
During our time in the Mekong Delta, we will get behind the Wok to learn the secrets of some of Vietnam’s famous dishes that we can learn to make to impress family & friends back home.
We are expected to help with the preparation of meals each evening and enjoy whatever it is we prepare
Day 3 & 4
Mekong Delta
Life in the Mekong Delta begins early - as will we, rising to enjoy breakfast, before donning gloves and sunscreen in preparation for our construction project.
Hands-on and highly practical, today we will embark on a three-day mission to build dwellings for some carefully chosen, families in this remote delta community This activity will take the form of practical construction and some substantial labouring tasks such as cement mixing, assembling frames and bricklaying, as well as some specialised trade-type activities that will require an eye for detail. We will also need to transport materials and prepare foundations, mindful that the dwelling we are building will house generations of families for many years to come
While the work will be constant and challenging, the rewards of undertaking this project are significant, particularly as we will work alongside local people to bring this venture to fruition.
Over the coming days, we will also be expected to assist with the preparation and cooking of our meals The days will be long and the results rewarding as we see our project come to fruition while curious villages from all around come to watch and assist us
Day 5
Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City Airport | Da Lat
This morning, we will farewell the community we have worked alongside over the past days, as we prepare for a dramatic change of scenery - and pace! - as we travel back to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, we will transfer to the airport for our short flight to the central southern highland township of Da Lat. Established by French colonists who occupied Vietnam for close to a century, Da Lat is a hill station, which sprung up as a cool respite from the stifling tropical heat of Ho Chi Minh City
The area surrounding Da Lat is temperate to cool, picturesque and a perfect location for the activities we will enjoy (and endure!) over the coming days.
On arrival, we will board the awaiting buses for our 50-minute trip into Da Lat town En route, we will stop at a supermarket where we will be able to buy supplies for our hike tomorrow (and over the coming 4 days for students undertaking the International Award). Following this, there will be a journey to our hotel where there will be time to relax and possibly enjoy a swim in our hotel pool.
Tonight, our teachers and guides brief us more thoroughly on our programme tomorrow This time will also be used to prepare all our gear and provisions as we review our maps and reinforce the navigation abilities crucial for tomorrow's journey, especially for students pursuing the Gold Award over the following days. After this, we will venture out for an evening exploration of Da Lat followed by dinner at a popular local eatery before returning to our hotel for a much-anticipated night’s sleep!
Day 6
Da Lat (Lang Biang Forest region)
A very early start this morning will ensure we get away in good time. This morning’s programme will begin as staggered groups embark on a mountain bike ride over undulating terrain, across waterways and natural obstacles before arriving at our first checkpoint. From here students will collect their equipment to begin the hike through farmland and lightly wooded terrain, before embarking on a steep climb to the summit of Liang Biang Mountain
Whilst there are several possible routes to the summit, each group will need to decide which approach will be the most suitable for their team. On reaching the summit, there will be the opportunity for a short break before groups descend for an hour or so to the top of a cliff for the abseiling activity
For students with no prior abseiling experience, or those requiring a refresher course, instructions will be available before undertaking the main obstacle - a 30-metre descent. From the bottom of the obstacle, each group will continue navigating to reach the campsite (campsite 1) through a pine forest.
Tonight, we will enjoy a bonfire and a performance by a local minority tribe native to this area
Day 7
Gold Award Group
Today we will continue our journey deep into the forested regions of south-central Vietnam, venturing into more densely wooded terrain in the Liang Biang region close to the country’s border with Cambodia. Guides will travel with each group to assist should students become lost or need assistance. The guides will also explain the local environment and the agricultural pursuits of the local people
Note that today is also the most navigationally challenging day of our trek, requiring us to be vigilant in checking and re-checking out route bearings.
En route today we can expect river crossing, as we trek through lightly wooden forest as well as through thicker scrub areas with the terrain that we will traverse ranging from steep to undulating It is expected we will arrive at our second night’s campsite situated not far from a picturesque waterfall in the late afternoon.
CAS Group
This morning, we will leave Da Lat and journey for three hours to reach the coastal town of Nha Trang, known for its stunning crescent-shaped beach and its position as a gateway to the Eastern Sea
Upon arrival, we'll embark on a guided tour of the city's oceanographic institute, where we will delve into Vietnam's rich marine heritage and the challenges it faces due to human exploitation. Our agenda for the afternoon includes acquainting ourselves with endangered or vulnerable marine species that we may encounter during our tomorrow snorkelling activity
This evening we’ll get behind the wok to partake in a Vietnamese cooking class. Here we will learn the secrets of this popular Asian cuisine to take home to impress our family and friends.
Day 8
Gold Award Group
Today will be the longest day of trekking as we traverse undulating and at times arduous terrain, hiking through the remote temperate forest and lightly wooded areas. Again today, we will need to pay careful attention to the myriads of paths and natural features that will offer us the best clues as to which way to go! Throughout the day, our teachers and tour leaders will meet each group at predesignated checkpoints, giving us an indication of where we are exactly
It is expected that we will arrive at camp in the late afternoon after a final full day of challenging navigation and hiking. A fun activity is planned for this evening as well as ample time to enjoy a vitalizing bonfire
CAS Group
After breakfast, we will travel to the Nha Trang port for a day of cruising and water activities aboard our private boat. Our program this morning will include a reef walking trip where we'll use underwater breathing apparatus to explore Nha Trang's fascinating underwater world There will also be plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, to discover the delicate marine ecosystem of Southeast Asia Lunch today will be on board our boat
Vietnamese mud baths are a source of pride for locals, drawing visitors from far and wide to seek the purported benefits of the mud's rich minerals Renowned for its high sodium, magnesium, and potassium content, the mud is believed to alleviate aches, and muscle pains, and provide other soothing effects Later we will enjoy a cyclo tour of Nha Trang, as we make our way to dinner
NB: our program today is specifically designed for students with no prior snorkelling experience and intended to educate about the region’s fragile marine life. NB: Life jackets and snorkelling equipment are provided
Day 9
Da Lat | Nha Trang Airport | Ho Chi Minh City
We will continue the final leg of our hike this morning – a physically demanding route through lightly wooded forests to our final destination at the edge of the forest. Here we will finally emerge from the wilderness tired and perhaps a little grubby, yet rejuvenated by our achievements.
We then start our journey to the airport and to the comforts of the city this afternoon, to enjoy meals (that we don’t need to cook ourselves!). There will be ample time to reflect on the challenging andfor some of us perhaps - transformative journey we have completed that overshadows any discomfort we have experienced over the last few days.
CAS Group
Following breakfast, we'll venture out to explore ancient temples constructed by the Champa people, an influential ethnic group that once held sway over much of Southeast Asia until the 11th century when they were conquered by the Khmer and Vietnamese. Following this, we will return to freshen up before transferring to the airport for our brief 50-minute flight back to Ho Chi Minh City.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a short city tour, stopping at several important sites, including Vietnam’s disquieting War Remnant Museum to learn about the American War in Vietnam from a local perspective.
This afternoon both groups (IA & CAS) will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City with some time for exploration
Dinner this evening will be a feast of whatever we - as a group - feel like - like (i e Indian, Italian, Korean cuisine etc.) so do please mention to our tour leaders what you are in the mood for! This evening, we will have further time to explore the vibrant precinct located in the vicinity of our hotels.
Ho Chi Minh City
If the tenacious spirit of the Vietnamese can be symbolised by a place, few sites are more symbolic than the tunnels established in an unassuming, southern district of the country that we will visit today.
Whilst the tumultuous events of the conflict are scantly evident at first glance, we will quickly glean some perspective of what happened here as we explore the maze of tunnels beneath our feet built by the local inhabitants. It is this region that witnessed the fiercest fighting and was also subjected to a damaging defoliation program, the results of which can still be observed in the area today.
These sweltering bazaars are a must when travelling in Vietnam and, whilst we can’t vouch for the authenticity of everything, the experience, colour and interaction are the real attraction
Our final meal in Vietnam will be a delightful feast featuring pizza, pasta and more. We will depart the restaurant around 21:00 for Ho Chi Minh City Airport where tour leaders will assist with flight check-in
Arrive in Dubai
Students will arrive back at Dubai International Airport at 04:30 local time.
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